The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Drug Enforcement Authority (NDEA) of the United Arab Emirates. This agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fight against drug trafficking. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the agreement as a significant milestone in the fight against drug trafficking. He noted that the MoU would deepen intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement action along the Nigeria-UAE corridor. Marwa highlighted that between 2021 and 2026, NDLEA intercepted 354.7kg of illicit drugs concealed in consignments going to the UAE, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of 47 suspects.
Brig. Gen. Marwa disclosed that NDLEA has made significant strides in the fight against drug trafficking. Between January 2021 and July 2026, the agency arrested over 91,000 suspects, seized more than 15.5 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals, and secured 16,469 convictions. Additionally, NDLEA counseled, treated, and rehabilitated over 53,000 drug users. The agency's War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign has also reached nearly 5.9 million Nigerians.
The new partnership with NDEA will build on existing cooperation between the two agencies. This includes the exchange of liaison personnel, sharing of operational information, and technical cooperation. The UAE has also agreed to provide Nigerian travelers with a comprehensive list of prohibited items to prevent inadvertent violations. This move is expected to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking and prevent the exploitation of trade, travel, and people-to-people ties between Nigeria and the UAE.
The Chairman of NDEA, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to working closely with Nigeria to disrupt trafficking networks. He described the MoU as a natural evolution of an already productive relationship between the two agencies. Both agencies expressed confidence that the agreement would lead to stronger intelligence-sharing, more successful joint operations, and the dismantling of trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-UAE axis.
The agreement between NDLEA and NDEA aligns with the shared global responsibility championed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The partnership is expected to contribute to the global effort to combat drug trafficking and promote a safer and more secure environment for both countries. The MoU is a significant step towards achieving this goal and demonstrates the commitment of both countries to fighting drug trafficking.
The signing of the MoU marks a new chapter in the cooperation between Nigeria and the UAE in the fight against drug trafficking. Both countries have acknowledged the need for a collaborative approach to address the complex issue of drug trafficking. The agreement is expected to yield positive results and serve as a model for future partnerships in the region.
Key points
- NDLEA and NDEA sign MoU to enhance cooperation against drug trafficking
- Agreement aims to deepen intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement action along Nigeria-UAE corridor
- Partnership expected to contribute to global effort to combat drug trafficking
